Super Bowl registers with area businesses

By Rick Longley and Susan Meeker

Tri-County Newspapers

Glenn County is gearing up for a San Francisco 49ers win Sunday over the Baltimore Ravens during Super Bowl XLVII.

Bars and restaurants will be open and have the big screen televisions on the game.

Willy's Place owner William Ridings said the festivities will go on before and during the game.

"We are rooting for the 49ers," he said. "They are a California team."

Super Bowls normally are a good business day for the Orland bar anyway, Ridings said, but it should be better this year with a Northern California favorite.

His bar has four big screen TVs set up above the bar, so people can watch from one end to another.

Ridings also is setting up "Tail gate" setting on the wall opposite the bar- literally made from pickup tail gates.

He also offers designated driver assistance on weekends and special occasions such as this, Ridings said.

Customers talked about a 49ers win Tuesday afternoon and said they planned to be at the bar Sunday to watch the action.

According to Papa Murphy's, which has stores in both Orland and Willows, Super Bowl Sunday is the biggest day of the year for pizza sales.

The company provides pizzas that can be baked at home, and it capitalizes on the new trend of people staying home to watch the game with their family, officials said.

Some of the statistics it offers are that Americans will eat about 350 slices of pizza per second and will spend more than $50 million on food during the four days leading up to the Super Bowl.

Round Table Pizza in Willows and Orland are gearing up for a big day as well.

Manager Heather Mendes said it is "usually real busy on deliveries. We will have extra people on staff to compensate for the extra business."

Mendes managed the Willows Round Table for 16 years, she said, but has been in Orland six months.

"A lot of people stay home, drink beer and get pizza delivered," Mendes said.

However, the restaurant also will get in-house customers, too, she said, and its four flat screen TVs will be turned to the Super Bowl all day.

George Waters of Willows said he plans to stay home for the big game, even though he and his wife use to hold season tickets for the 49ers.

"First we are going to get up early and go to the pancake breakfast at the Ord Bend Fire Department because it's fantastic, then we're going to go home and watch all the pre-game shows and the game."

Waters has been a 49er fan for nearly 50 years.

"I've loved them ever since I was 10 or 11 and could understand the game," he said.

Edward Ramos is a Ravens fan, although he said he doesn't plan to shout it out very loud at Yeti's on Sunday.

"This year is special no matter what team you like because seeing two brothers coach opposing teams at the Super Bowl is almost as good as watching the players on the field," he said. "I can't wait."

Yeti's Pub and Grill in Willows is planning Super Bowl specials all day at the Willow Walk Mall off North Butte Street.

Co-owner Heidi Hunt said this is the first Super Bowl party the restaurant has hosted since it opened just seven months ago.

She and co-owner Michael Monahan will be serving beer, hot dogs, nachos, chicken wings and more along with sandwiches right up to kick-off at 3 p.m.

"I am hoping for a good crowd," Hunt said, adding the bar gets a small crowd of football fans on Sundays already.

Three televisions will be set up for the game there as well.

"I like the 49ers," Hunt said. "Michael's a Cowboys fan. He did not have too much luck this year."

Long Way Home Saloon also has three TVs and a 105-inch big screen to watch the game.

"We just watch the football game and drink beer," said Jill Beath.

Quite a few people come in and shoot pool, too, she said, but can watch the big screen at the same time since it is near the pool tables.

Jim Yoder with the Last Stand Bar and Grill said it is planning a Super Bowl party all day with a raffle and prizes.

"We're expecting a big turnout," he said, as people dine on hot wings, pulled pork, barbecued wings and more.

But not all restaurants and bars expect a big Super Bowl turnout.

Sean Schroeder, bar manager at Farwood Bar and Grill in Orland said the popular eatery will be open and have "happy hour" specials and appetizers, but he does not think it will go out as big as it has in the past.

"Orland is more of a house party deal," he said. "We don't get a lot of people."

During past Super Bowls, Farwood offered limo service home to customers, but not many showed up, Schroeder said.

Pizza Palace employees also said their manager did not expect big crowds on Sunday.

The Fifth Street restaurant only has one television and does not do delivery, they said, so business should be normal for the day.